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drkshadow03 's review for:
Pyramids
by Terry Pratchett
This is the second Discworld book I have read. For starters, I enjoyed this book more than The Color of Magic (the first book in the series and the other book I have read); you can tell that Pratchett has figured out what works in his blend of satirical fantasy. Although the story includes fantastical elements, most of the comedy focuses on poking fun at history and religion.
Teppic the son of the king Djelibeybi trains to become an assassin, but after his father dies returns to assume the throne. As king his decisions don’t matter as the real power lies with the High Priest Dios who is against any changes whatsoever. Soon after building a pyramid larger than any ever before time itself becomes warped and the made-up gods return and the dead kings walk again!
The setting is a fantasy version of ancient Egypt. Much of the comedy centers on jokes about various elements of this culture. Also we spend a short time with the Ephebians who are the kingdoms neighbors and humorous versions of ancient Greeks full of philosophers. Instead of professional speakers known as sophists, they even have a professional listener who nods and smiles at whatever you have to say for money! The book is mostly a comedy for good laughs, but if it makes any serious point it is that getting too caught up in old ways without ever allowing for innovation or change can be dangerous and that rituals with no purpose are pointless wastes of time and mostly make a tired old priesthood feel better about itself.
Teppic the son of the king Djelibeybi trains to become an assassin, but after his father dies returns to assume the throne. As king his decisions don’t matter as the real power lies with the High Priest Dios who is against any changes whatsoever. Soon after building a pyramid larger than any ever before time itself becomes warped and the made-up gods return and the dead kings walk again!
The setting is a fantasy version of ancient Egypt. Much of the comedy centers on jokes about various elements of this culture. Also we spend a short time with the Ephebians who are the kingdoms neighbors and humorous versions of ancient Greeks full of philosophers. Instead of professional speakers known as sophists, they even have a professional listener who nods and smiles at whatever you have to say for money! The book is mostly a comedy for good laughs, but if it makes any serious point it is that getting too caught up in old ways without ever allowing for innovation or change can be dangerous and that rituals with no purpose are pointless wastes of time and mostly make a tired old priesthood feel better about itself.